Saturday 7th June 2008
Venue St Ergnat’s Moneyglass
Full time score Moneyglass 5-12 St Brigid’s 0-3
“Well my mama told me there’d be days like this . . .” [ Van the Man – ask your parents!] and no truer words for team and coaches alike. Seriously depleted due to ongoing exam committments and injuries, only 14 “u 16” girls turned up at YMCA to travel to Moneyglass for this return league match. In truth St Brigid’s were able to field only 5 actual u16s and the remaining 8 were either u14 or u12.
A sporting home side “lent” us one of their players to complete the teams and in blazing sunshine the throw in began at 3.30pm just as the temperature hit 23c. The visitors got off to a brilliant start with Katie McMullan winning the throw in and quick kick and hand passing involving Ellen McGrath and Anna Finnegan resulted in Aoife Montague scoring a great point to kickstart the game and give the visitors great hope.
Unfortunately it proved to be a false dawn and the only other St Brigid’s score posted in the first half was a splendid point from play by Katie McMullan with a superb kick from 40m. By this time St Ergnat’s were totally dominant and had laid siege to the visitor’s goal. At full back Rose McKeogh marshalled the defence to thwart many attacks and Sarah Smart had a great game in goals to confine the home side to just one goal in the first half.
Half time St Ergnat’s 1-4 St Brigid’s 0-2
St Brigid’s had high hopes of a fightback in the second half after containing the home side who had wind advantage in the first half. However whilst it was a game of two halves, the script did not change and Moneyglass played even better in the second half to register a formidable 4 – 8 from play with just one point by the visitors from u12 corner forward Abigail Carleton. The visitors played attractive, fast flowing, fluent football and thoroughly deserved the wide margin of their victory. St Brigid’s were simply too young and inexperienced to match the home side who had a squad of 25 players to pick from and as the match continued in the sweltering heat, they had the luxury of being able to use their substitutes. However shortage of players is not an excuse for the heavy defeat which was a true reflection of the difference in the sides.
St Brigid’s girls have a group of very dedicated and talented players who turn up for matches and give their utmost against all the odds. The experienced players led by example throughout and encouraged their younger team mates to keep battling against the tide even though they were wilting in the heat and in the siege. Injured captain Aoife McCann was a big loss and we look forward to welcoming her back along with many of the u14 brigade who were missing. The visitors performance also reflected the poor attendance at training in recent weeks and unless there is a more determined effort from all, there will be similar days ahead. However the battling performance of those who played gained the respect of their peers, coaches and opposition. This was our first defeat at this level this season and is a sharp wake up call before we take on the other top teams including St Gall’s and St Paul’s.
St Brigid’s:
Sarah Smart, Paula Toner, Rose McKeogh, Alice Keenan, Sarah Toner, Aimee Duffy, Katie McMullan, Ellen McGrath, Anna Finnegan, Aoife Montague, Caitriona Montague, Julie Curran, Hannah Loughran and Abigail Carleton.
